Brazilian federal health regulator Anvisa has voted to keep the country's ban on e-cigarettes, which is in force since 2009, reports The Brazilian Report.

Board members agreed to maintain the prohibition of the sale, import, and advertising of e-cigarettes. They also approved the future discussion of new regulations to enforce the ban and reduce demand, the report said.
The meeting was broadcast online and lasted for over four hours. Several experts, activists, and politicians spoke before the vote. Only one person was against the ban — a lawyer for Philip Morris.
Despite the ban, vaping is increasingly popular in Brazil, especially among young people. A recent phone poll showed that 20 per cent of Brazilians aged 18-24 smoke e-cigarettes. According to the report, smokers in Brazil make up approximately 12 per cent of the total population.